UCL qualifier: Dessers subbed in as Rangers beat Panathinaikos on aggregate; no debut for Fernandez

Cyriel Dessers made a late appearance for Rangers in their 1-1 draw against Panathinaikos in Athens on Wednesday night, as the Scottish giants progressed to the next phase of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers with a 3-1 aggregate victory.

Rangers earned a share of the spoils tonight thanks to Djeidi Gassama, who cancelled out Filip Duricic's goal in the second half.

Dessers was introduced in the 82nd minute and made an immediate impact, testing Panathinaikos goalkeeper Bartlomiej Dragowski with a sharp effort during stoppage time. 

The 30-year-old forward, who has earned international caps for the Super Eagles, offered a physical presence up front as Rangers held off a late surge from the Greek side.

The draw follows Rangers’ 2-0 win in the first leg in Glasgow, which laid the foundation for their advancement. 

With their place in the third qualifying round secured, the Gers will now set their sights on reaching the lucrative group stages of the competition.

Meanwhile, there was no competitive debut for dual-national central defender Emmanuel Fernandez, who was an unused substitute for the visitors but continues to generate attention off the pitch. 

Rangers recently completed the signing of the 23-year-old from Peterborough United, fending off interest from Rennes and Schalke 04.

Although eligible for England, Fernandez is keen on representing Nigeria at international level and is reportedly in the process of acquiring a Nigerian passport. 

The towering defender, known for his goal threat on set-pieces, signed a four-year contract with Rangers, tying him to the club until the end of the 2028-2029 season.

Fernandez scored seven goals in 61 appearances for Peterborough, including five in his final season, and is expected to compete for a starting role in the coming weeks. 

Wale Adejumo

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